We knew then what we know now; only exemplary blacks are acceptable.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nation's greatness.
I knew being accepted was going to be hard, but I knew I was involved in a situation that was going to bring opportunities to other blacks.
Black leadership has to recognize that principles more than speech, character more than a claim, is greater in advancing the cause of our liberation than what has transpired thus far.
Black history is American history.
One of the things we tell ourselves as African-Americans is if we work hard, play by the rules, we do start back a little ways, but if we can be twice as good, somehow we can escape history and heritage and legacy.
Part of what our problem as blacks in America is that we don't claim that. Partly, you see, because of the linguistic environment in which we live.
Until the legacy of remembered and reenacted trauma is taken seriously, black America cannot heal.
I think until Britain acknowledges just how much of a presence black people had here before the Sixties, then there are certain stories that are not going to be inclusive of what I have to offer.
There is no longer a single common impediment to blacks emerging in this society.
Nobody black had learned anything from the 'Letter from the Birmingham Jail' or from the 'I Have a Dream' speech. That was a revelation of white people.